It's not often we see Grey Whales in the upper Georgia Strait, but we have seen more of them in the past couple of years. Nice to see them passing through our waters again. Once the Humpback Whales started to show up last week, they seemed to appear all over the place. We know we've had 'Kelp Creature', or 'KC' for short as well as 'Zed' back in their usual stomping grounds. There have also been a few others, with at least one we believe to be a returning calf as well as a new calf. Numerous Transient Bigg's Orca are roaming the inside waters with plenty for them to feed on also in our waters. This includes the pacific White Sided Dolphins, Dall's and Harbour Porpoise as well as the many seals and sea lions. Of note is that the Malaspina Strait side of our inner waters appears to hold minimal attention for all of the species this Spring...unusual.
Susan MacKay, Wild Ocean Whale Society
Beautiful Grey Whale at Race Point, Campbell River, BC
Mireille Morissette, On A Dime Outdoor Adventures
Society News & Events
Summer 2016 Raffle: This year our draw will be on Canada Day, July 1st. Great prizes include Pacific Coastal Flight, Eagle Eye Adventure Tour, Stubbs Island Whale Watching Tour, BC Ferries Pass, Campbell River Whale Watching Tour, I'Hos Cultural Tour, Discovery Marine Safaris Tour, and Beyond the Road Desolation Sound Cruise. Tickets are $5. each and can be ordered through our Add To Cart button or at our information tables.
Our 2016 Raffle Tickets available at our information tables at:
May 19: Town Centre Mall by Walmart, Powell River
May 28 and 29: Lund Shellfish Festival in Lund Harbour
Vancouver Island and other Locations are being worked on and we will post as we confirm.
July 1st: Canada Day Celebrations have been moved to Willingdon Beach, Powell River and we will be drawing the raffle winners there.
Full Raffle Details available Here
Are you the type of volunteer interested in Cetacea and mapping, who would be willing to spend some time with our growing Society network?
For our DONATE page click here
Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
We are the non profit
Wild Ocean Whale Society
Call
1-877-323-9776
Sightings Update
SIGHTINGS MAP 2016-013
TRANSIENT BIGG'S KILLER WHALES
Tue May 17 2016
15:26 • Bigg`s Orca heading North-East midway between Francisco Point and Marina Island, Sutil Channel. ◦T077A◦ Headed back towards Plunger Pass. One Male on his own. ▫ Leaving the Scene
15:15 • Bigg`s Orca hunting, heading slowly towards Plunger Passage, Sutil Channel.
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:06 • Bigg`s Orca heading East towards the South end of Cortes Island, Georgia Strait. Possibly heading to Baker Passage.
Radio, overheard or call out
13:52 • 5 Bigg`s Orca heading North slowly approaching Cape Mudge Green Can Buoy, Georgia Strait. ◦T101s T102◦ ▫ Leaving the Scene
13:16 • 5 Bigg`s Orca heading North off Mitlenatch Island, Georgia Strait. ◦T101s T102◦ There is another male in the group.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
10:52 • Bigg`s Orca heading South off Campbell River Dolphins Resort, Discovery Passage.
09:44 • Bigg`s Orca between Menzies Bay and Race Point, Discovery Passage. One large fin.
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
09:43 • Bigg`s Orca heading South towards Race Point, Discovery Passage.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sat May 14 2016
17:08 • 5 Bigg`s Orca moving quickly, heading South between Little River and Hornby Island, Georgia Strait. Traveling around 8-11 knots. Two big fins and one small, the rest are females. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Transient Bigg' s Killer Whales
Georgia S. between Little R. and Hornby I.
Sat May 14 2016 - 4 Images / Media Files
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Transient Bigg' s Killer Whales
Georgia S. between Little R. and Hornby I.
Sat May 14 2016 - 4 Images / Media Files
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
16:40 • 5 Bigg`s Orca moving quickly, heading South by Comox, Georgia Strait. Doing 14 knots by the ferry terminal. ▫ On Scene
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
12:40 • 3 Bigg`s Orca tail slaps, heading North, Georgia Strait. Off of the Comox ferry, very close to the Vancouver Island shore. There's one big male. ▫ From Ferry
Craig Johnson, Powell River, BC
Tue May 10 2016
18:13 • 4 Bigg`s Orca heading towards Campbell River, Discovery Passage. ◦T018s◦ Two big and two small ones. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Transient Bigg' s Killer Whales
Discovery Passage heading to Campbell R.
Tue May 10 2016 - 4 Images / Media Files
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Transient Bigg' s Killer Whales
Discovery Passage heading to Campbell R.
Tue May 10 2016 - 4 Images / Media Files
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
HUMPBACK WHALES
Mon May 16 2016
13:20 • 1 Humpback Whales heading South past Sonora Lodge on Sonora Island, Yuculta Rapids. Observed from Big Bay.
12:40 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North-East in Mermaid Bay off Dent Island, Dent Rapids. ◦BCY0291 KC◦ ▫ On Scene
12:26 • 1 Humpback Whales in Devils Hole off Sonora Island, Dent Rapids. ◦BCY0291 KC◦
12:20 • 1 Humpback Whales heading South in Tugboat Passage off the North-East side of Sonora Island, Dent Rapids. The whale was going with the tide.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sun May 15 2016
14:19 • 1 Humpback Whales doing circles, Asman Point, Stuart Island, Dent Rapids.
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching
12:51 • 2 Humpback Whales travelling, heading North Walkem Islands, Johnstone Strait. 6 knots. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
11:57 • 1 Humpback Whales across from Horn Bay on the shoreline of Sonora Island, Dent Rapids. ◦BCY0291 KC◦ ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Humpback Whales
KC "Kelp Creature", Sonora I. shoreline
Sun May 15 2016 - 5 Images / Media Files
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Humpback Whales
KC "Kelp Creature", Sonora I. shoreline
Sun May 15 2016 - 5 Images / Media Files
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
11:44 • 1 Humpback Whales heading West off Camp Point, Johnstone Strait.
Roger McDonell, Discovery Marine Safaris
11:23 • 1 Humpback Whales heading South heading towards Horn Point past Denham Islet, Dent Rapids. ◦BCY0291 KC◦ Very large humpback - it's KC!.
10:07 • 2 Humpback Whales heading North in Elk Bay, Discovery Passage. ◦BCX0380 Zed◦ Humpback is possibly Zed- confirmed later. Campbell River Whale Watch and Eagle Eye adventures on scene.
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Sat May 14 2016
16:14 • 1 Humpback Whales circling, Denham Bay, Dent Rapids. ◦KC◦ ▫ Leaving the Scene
15:54 • 1 Humpback Whales heading South nearing Horn Point, Dent Rapids.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:22 • 1 Humpback Whales across from Denham Bay Resort, Dent Rapids. ▫ Second Hand
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
13:28 • 1 Humpback Whales off Cape Mudge Lighthouse, Quadra Island, Georgia Strait. ▫ Radio Report
Radio, overheard or call out
07:58 • 1 Humpback Whales heading South, Yuculta Rapids.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
Fri May 13 2016
18:54 • 1 Humpback Whales moving slowly, heading South from Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
Dustin Luchak, On A Dime Outdoor Adventures
16:41 • 1 Humpback Whales between Steep Island and Painters Lodge, Discovery Passage.
16:05 • 1 Humpback Whales heading South at Browns Bay, Discovery Passage.
Bradden Kiley, Campbell River, BC
08:28 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North approaching Whiskey Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
08:17 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North in front of Cape Mudge Village on Quadra Island, Discovery Passage. Large humpback whale.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Thu May 12 2016
18:06 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North between Cape Mudge Lighthouse and Campbell River, Discovery Passage.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
15:56 • 1 Humpback Whales in Smelt Bay off Cortes Island, Sutil Channel.
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Humpback Whales
Smelt Bay Area
Thu May 12 2016 - 5 Images / Media Files
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Humpback Whales
Smelt Bay Area
Thu May 12 2016 - 5 Images / Media Files
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
11:46 • 1 Humpback Whales doing donuts, in front of Otter Cove, Discovery Passage. ◦KC◦ ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
09:10 • 2 Humpback Whales foraging, off Chatham Point, Discovery Passage.
Jack Springer, Campbell River Whale Watching
Wed May 11 2016
18:29 • 1 Humpback Whales heading South at Cape Mudge, Georgia Strait.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
18:20 • 2 Humpback Whales heading North south of Cape Mudge. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
16:40 • 1 Humpback Whales turned into Bute Inlet. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
16:25 • 2 Humpback Whales heading North, Discovery Passage. Heading towards Gowlland Harbor in front of ferry on Quadra side. Young HB was breaching and spy hopping; mother was supervising.
Mark Howell, On A Dime Outdoor Adventures
15:51 • 1 Humpback Whales heading South, Calm Channel. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Rhys, Campbell River Whale Watching
15:51 • 2 Humpback Whales off Campbell River, Discovery Passage. In front of ferry terminal at Quathiaski Cove on Quadra Island.
Mark Howell, On A Dime Outdoor Adventures
Humpback Whales
Cow and calf playing around, South of Quathiaski Cove
Wed May 11 2016 - 3 Images / Media Files
Mireille Morissette, On A Dime Outdoor Adventures
Humpback Whales
Cow and calf playing around, South of Quathiaski Cove
Wed May 11 2016 - 3 Images / Media Files
Mireille Morissette, On A Dime Outdoor Adventures
15:38 • 1 Humpback Whales breaching, in front of Cape Mudge Lighthouse, Georgia Strait.
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
15:02 • 1 Humpback Whales heading North off Jimmy Judd Island towards Vancouver Bay, Dent Rapids.
Rhys, Campbell River Whale Watching
09:45 • 1 Humpback Whales between Hill Island and Penn Islands, Sutil Channel. ▫ Second Hand
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Fri May 06 2016
??:?? • 1 Humpback Whales, Jervis Inlet. Was seen on the 6 and 7th of May.
Beverly Saunders, Jervis Inlet
Humpback Whales
Jervis Inlet
Fri May 06 2016 - 1 Images / Media Files
Beverly Saunders, Jervis Inlet
Humpback Whales
Jervis Inlet
Fri May 06 2016 - 1 Images / Media Files
Beverly Saunders, Jervis Inlet
GREY WHALES
Fri May 13 2016
19:23 • 1 Grey Whale moving slowly, heading North towards Menzies Bay, Discovery Passage. Close to the Vancouver Island shore.
Mark Howell, On A Dime Outdoor Adventures
18:53 • 1 Grey Whale heading North just North of Race Point, Discovery Passage.
Dustin Luchak, On A Dime Outdoor Adventures
Grey Whale
Beautiful Grey at Race Point, Campbell River, BC
Fri May 13 2016 - 2 Images / Media Files
Mireille Morissette, On A Dime Outdoor Adventures
Grey Whale
Beautiful Grey at Race Point, Campbell River, BC
Fri May 13 2016 - 2 Images / Media Files
Mireille Morissette, On A Dime Outdoor Adventures
17:53 • 1 Grey Whale heading North just North of Coal Depot in Duncan Bay, Discovery Passage. Was very close to the Vancouver Island shore. ▫ Leaving the Scene
Jerry Weldon, Eagle Eye Adventures
17:23 • 1 Grey Whale heading North at Middle Point in Duncan Bay, Discovery Passage. Left him tight along the Vancouver Island shoreline.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Grey Whale
Duncan Bay, South of Campbell R.
Fri May 13 2016 - 2 Images / Media Files
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
Grey Whale
Duncan Bay, South of Campbell R.
Fri May 13 2016 - 2 Images / Media Files
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
PACIFIC WHITE SIDED DOLPHINS
Mon May 16 2016
11:43 • 100 PWS Dolphins spread out, off Davis Point on Sonora Island, Nodales Channel.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
Sun May 15 2016
10:46 • 6 PWS Dolphins foraging, Greensea Bay, Discovery Passage.
Jen Furst, Campbell River Whale Watching
Fri May 13 2016
10:00 • 10 PWS Dolphins at Jimmy Judd Island, Yuculta Rapids.
Leif Nordman, Campbell River Whale Watching
DALL'S PORPOISE
Tue May 17 2016
15:33 • 20-30 Dall`s Porpoise Surge Narrows, Hoskyn Channel.
Kurt Staples, Eagle Eye Adventures
Sun May 15 2016
11:58 • Dall`s Porpoise across from Horn Bay on the shoreline of Sonora Island, Dent Rapids.
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Sat May 14 2016
15:59 • 4 Dall`s Porpoise at Plumper Bay, Discovery Passage.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
14:53 • 2 Dall`s Porpoise foraging, in Seymour Narrows, Discovery Passage.
08:58 • 2 Dall`s Porpoise Greensea Bay, Discovery Passage.
08:39 • 2 Dall`s Porpoise at 45 Point, Quadra Island, Discovery Passage.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
Wed May 11 2016
10:11 • 3 Dall`s Porpoise foraging,, Hoskyn Channel.
Leigh Nelson, Adventure Quest Tours
HARBOUR PORPOISE
Sun May 15 2016
11:58 • Harbour Porpoise across from Horn Bay on the shoreline of Sonora Island, Dent Rapids.
Jos Krynen, Eagle Eye Adventures
Fri May 13 2016
16:38 • 5 Harbour Porpoise milling, at Shelter Point, Georgia Strait.
Garry Henkel, Aboriginal Journeys Whale and Grizzly Bear Tours
SIGHTINGS HEAT MAP 2016-013
The Magazine
REGIONAL & WEST COAST
Vancouver Sun
West coast whale watchers are worried drone operators are flying too close to orcas.
With the season just beginning along the coast of B.C. and Washington, tour operators say untrained pilots put the endangered mammals at risk.
“We are very concerned about ....
ABC News, San Francisco, CA
Migrating humpback whales have been swimming into San Francisco Bay in unprecedented numbers during the past two weeks — an onslaught that experts say could be caused by an unusual concentration of anchovies near shore.
As many as four humpbacks at a time have been spotted flapping their tails and breaching in bay waters, apparently feeding on the anchovies and other schooling fish during incoming tides, the
The Seattle Times, WA
First Published March 30, 2016:
First Published March 30, 2016:
RIGHT now, southern-resident killer whales circle the waters off the mouth of the Columbia River eager to score their favorite meal — a fat spring chinook salmon. It’s late March and the Pacific Northwest’s rivers should be a surge of snowmelt and salmon. But they aren’t.
The southern-resident killer whales are on the brink of extinction because they can’t find enough food. With eight new calves — the biggest baby boom this population has seen in almost 40 years — the moment to help our iconic blackfish is today.
What can we do? The whales are showing us: We need to focus on Columbia Basin salmon....
Seattle PI, WA
Short answer: No. While they're screwed up in just about every way, the southern resident killer whales (SRKW) just need food to survive.
With enough Chinook salmon, the SRKW (aka the Salish Sea orca clan) could overcome the many problems that plague them. Problems such as ...
KPCC
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena, CA
Whales see the ocean through sound, so a new documentary from the Natural Resources Defense Council immerses you in the underwater world, now polluted with industrial and military man-made noises that have impacted marine mammals' survival.
In 'Sonic Sea' airing on Discovery May 19th ...
CANADA
CBC As it Happens
The Conservatives cut 310 positions at Fisheries and Oceans Canada. But now the Liberal government has announced it is reinvesting $20 million in the department — and hiring 135 people.
Michael Rennie, a former DFO scientist, is now a professor at Lakehead University. (lakeheadu.ca)
"I thought it was great news," Michael Rennie, a former government research scientist, tells As It Happens host Carol Off. "Really, it's a department that suffered horrific cuts since 2012, so the need for reinvestment was there."
CBC NEWS
The federal government is taking steps to strengthen its protection of the vulnerable beluga population in the St. Lawrence Estuary.
Any human activities carried out in their habitat will require authorization before going ahead under a special decree, known as a Critical Habitat Order, signed by Federal Fisheries Minister Hunter Tootoo....
CBC News NFLD and Labrador
A young Beluga whale is drawing attention in the community of Francois on Newfoundland's south coast.
Despite the attraction, Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) scientist, Dr. Jack Lawson, says people should keep their distance.
Lawson said belugas are not uncommon in Newfoundland waters, and don't always do well with human contact....
INTERNATIONAL
The Visitor, UK
Two couples who picked up smelly rubbery rocks on the beach in Morecambe Bay are hoping they will turn out to be lumps of whale vomit – worth a potential £50,000 each....
Stuff.co.nz
Whalers caused the New Zealand population of southern right whales to crash from around 30,000 to just 110, an international team of researches has estimated.
Researchers used historical records from whaling logbooks, along with modern genetic data to come up with the estimates.
"We find that the population declined rapidly following early 19th century whaling ...
The Age Australia
The ocean giant's size and bulk, estimated to be about 18 metres long and 40,000 kilograms, has been measured thanks to the chance discovery of a fossilised whale tooth found on a suburban beach....
For our DONATE page click here
Have you seen a whale, dolphin or porpoise?
We are the non profit
Wild Ocean Whale Society
Call
1-877-323-9776
SUBSCRIBE
to Sightings Update eMail notices
VOLUNTEER with WOWs
Review our Volunteer Opportunities
Contact WOWs
